Jewish Agency Opens Enlistment Office for Men Desiring to Serve in Jewish Brigade

By arrangement with the War Office, the Jewish Agency for Palestine today opened an office in London for preliminary registration of men desiring to serve in the Jewish brigade being formed by the British Government.

Registration offices will also be opened in provincial cities throughout England, Zionist youth organization, including the Hechalutz, Habonim, Hashomer Hatzair, will hold conferences during the week-end to organize enlistment of their members in the brigades

Brigadier Edmund C.W. Meyers, 38-year-old veteran of the Middle East campaign, is favored for command of the Jewish brigade group, the Evening Standard reports today, Meyers, who has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order, commands a detachment of sappers.

Other possibilities for commander of the brigade the paper says are Brigadier W. R. Beddington of the Royal Armord Corps, Major-Gen. R. H. Lorie, Brigadier E. F. Benjamin and Col. R. H. A. Lucas. It also states that Major Wellesley Aron who commands Jewish units in Italy is almost certain to be transferred to the brigade. All appointments will be submitted to South African Prime Minister Jan Smuts, long-time advocate of a separate Jewish fighting force, before they are made, the Standard adds.

The liberal New Statesman and Nation in an editorial today hailing formation of the brigade, declares that “for four years the policy of appeasing the Arabs has stood in the way of a Jewish Army. Late though the announcement comes,” it continues, “we welcome this victory over anti-Semitic prejudice.”